'In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky' Review: A Journey Told in Silence and Sign
- Romey Norton
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - September 11, 2025
What happens in In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky?
This 2023 documentary doesn’t take the usual route of historical films. Instead of grand re-enactments or heavy narration, it chooses a stripped-down, intimate approach: two guides, Tanya and Kolya, share the life and travels of Prince Alexander Nevsky entirely in Russian Sign Language, supported by English subtitles.
Together, they trace Nevsky’s path across Europe and Asia, weaving his encounters with popes, princes, and Mongol leaders into something far more personal than a textbook retelling. Along the way, we’re shown not just the history itself but the act of telling history.
What makes In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky remarkable is not simply the subject matter, though Nevsky’s travels through grand halls, courts, castles and battlefields are inherently compelling, but how they’re presented. History is often told through lectures or dramatisations, but here it unfolds through gestures.
No part is empty or lifeless and this is down to the stylized shots and clever use of sound. The production value is very polished, with some wonderful visuals through museums and landscapes. Close up shots of artifacts and artworks are especially intriguing. We see some very impressive things throughout, including two letters from Pope Innocent IV to Prince Alexander (1248), the sword of Prince Daumantas of Pskov (late 13th c.) and the manuscript of The Vita of St Alexander Nevsky (late 13th C.). On display in Russian museums.
Over the presenters singing the subtle background noises make the scenes feel alive and immersive. Unlike many other films and TV shows that emphasise travel-show gloss, this film breaks down barriers, making the viewer feel like a participant in the journey rather than a distant spectator.
There’s the nice touch of having the film crew seen; we have simple shots of them moving cameras and can hear them laughing when things don’t go perfectly to plan, like Kolya trying on some chainmail and it getting stuck. They’re nice touches that make the documentary feel more relaxed.
It’s not a quick watch; it has an impressive runtime of just over two hours, and requires attention from the viewer. Think of it like a dramatic history lesson, where you need to pay attention or you’ll miss out, and you’ll enjoy watching this film.
Is In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky in Sign Language?
By centering Russian Sign Language, the film does more than make history accessible: it reimagines how stories can be told. Kolya and Tanya are not passive narrators; they are using their bodies and expressions to give history a pulse. This makes the film both educational and ground-breaking in terms of accessibility and representation.
How does In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky end?
Having travelled through landscapes and uncovered rare historical traces, Tanya and Kolya finish their tale back in the Pskov Museum and Reserve looking at a restored painting of Alexander. Their story ends with reflection, reminding us that history is not just about conquering and ruling, but about how stories survive across centuries.
Is the film In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky worth watching?
Yes. If you’re a fan of foreign documentaries, love learning and don’t mind reading subtitles, then yes, absolutely give this film a watch. I very much enjoyed learning about pieces of history I never knew about and that becomes a huge talking point in real life.
In the Footsteps of Alexander Nevsky is not a documentary for those looking for bombast or easy answers. Instead, it’s an invitation: to listen differently, to see history through new eyes, and to appreciate the artistry of storytelling in Sign Language. The film is a moving, inventive, and inclusive piece of cinema that proves silence can be as powerful as sound when telling the stories of the past.
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